New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-27
RETALIATION IN EARNEST

The duty of the House respecting the fish
cries outrages is plain and imperative. It's own
Committee on Foreign Affairs has reported a
retaliation act of wider scope than the Senate
bill. There is no real necessity for the passage
Of so extreme measure Mr. George Steele,
tho indcfatigable president of the American
Fishing Union, has publicly stated that the
Senate bin covers the ground completely and
that the Belmont bill goes too far in prohibit
ing commercial intercourse with Canada alto
gethcr. We are disposed to abide by his
Judgment and TO consider the Senate measure
as the more expedicnt of the two schemes.
Retaliation so far as may he practicable should
be strictly in kind Canadian fl hermcn an
their produce should be dealt with in the same
spirit in which American fishermen and their
produce are dealt with in Canadian ports and
the extreme policy of nOn-incrcour,c should bc
held in reserve for another year. IL the House
will accept the Senate bill as a substitute for
its own measure and send it TO the President
with the unbroken support Of both parties. tho
responsibility for protecting the rights Of Amer
lean fishermen will he clearly defined.
The United States Senate de,crvcs the thanks
of every patriotic American. The decisive
NVW ny WHICH uiO ~NuihihSt
arbitration proposals were condemned at the
last session has been followed this week by the
passage of the Fisheries Retaliation bill by a
vote practically unanimous. Party distinctions
were dropped. The Senate rose 10 a high level
OF patriotism in defence Of National honor.
The series of unncighborly, brutal and Illegal
outragcs upon American commerce in Dominion
waters has been resented with becoming vigor
and dignity. The Senate with only ono dis
ecntng vOc-and that vote cast under a fanias
tic Interpretation of the mcasulc-has armed the
President with fun, adequate and just powers
Of retaliation. AT his discretion United States
ports can he closed against Canadian vessels,
fresh or salt fish or any products of the
Dominion can he seized in American territory
shrs and goods can lie forfeited and persons
implicated in the violation of this law can he
fined and impri>onc This policy will he
United States.
Scna or Ingalls's incisivc questions in regard
to the real purpose Of the Scnac bin we're
well timed and served IN ring ont inNpOIat NJ
exhibitions of American feeling. II was un-
necessary however 10 ask whether the bill
was intended as pacific or rs hostile
measure. On its face it is a measure of retail
ia,ion pure and simple. II the warning bc UNI
needed by the Dominion Government it may
become necessary anO, her year to have recourse
TO more extreme retaliatoiy legislation. Such
measures are defensive in character. 1t is
serious mistake TO consider them in the light
Of war measures The real war measures are
the wanton outragcs which have involved the
nece sty for re aiiation and the effect OF
vigorous defensive policy on the American
side will he markedly pacific since 1t Will tend
70 prcycnt the recurrence Of hostile acts. Iha'
This will be the result Of the passage OF The
Senate bill bv the House We have very httlc
doubt. Already the Canadian Government
is showing works meet for repentance. Three
days after the introduction o. rctala,ory meas
uycs in Congress, Consul-Gcncral Pbclan re-
ceiyc1 from the Canadian authorities chcck
for 800. the restored fine on the schooner
Marion Crimes, the flag Of which was hauled
down by order of the staggering commando
of the Terror Another schooner was rclca ca
on Monday. Illegal seizures and brutal out
RACES will ceasc when the Ottawa officials per
coiye that the British Minister IS no longer
the confidential adv or Of Secretary Bayaru'
that the Administration has rcnounccd lis hapDy
noicv Of inaction. and that the American people
arc determined not to have the National honor
uromiscl